75 ELDM and 178 ELDM, thoughts and questions

[mark5pt56]

Ok, looking at the .223 first, have a nice accurate load using H4895 and the 75 BTHP. Has anyone tried the ELDM at mag length for the AR or am I better off using it for the bolt? The BC is a sizable difference. .467 vs .395. Main use is semi for HP and may just use one bullet vs the 75 at 2-3 and what I have left of the 80 AMAX for 600 singles.

Next up in .308, going to work up a load for the Ruger PR, have on hand H4895 and didn't want to try a bunch of bullets and looks like the ELDM might be a good start. Had a .308 in the past and loaded thumpers using the 185 jugs and 2000MR but they get expensive.

Both guns above are 20"

And yes I have a 6.5CM since the .308 hits the wall at 800

Mark

 

[Rob01]

Better off using the 73 ELD-M for a higher BC for an AR mag length .223 but the 75 BTHP works great also. I use the 75 BTHPs for my 3 gun ammo. The 75 ELD-M will do well in AICS style mags though. Mine are loaded at 2.435" OAL and fit fine in my MDT mags. I started loading the 75 ELD-Ms for my 20" .223 bolt gun recently and using Varget and CFE223. Both did well in the 100 yard testing.

Varget did best at 23.5grns. Here's 4 shots as the 5th had a bad primer. I was trying some Tula primers.

CFE223 did well in a spread of powder charges. Here is 5 shot groups.

I haven;t loaded any of the .308 178 ELD-Ms yet but have used a lot of 178 AMAX so I am sure you should be able to do fine with the 178 ELD-Ms.

 

[mark5pt56]

Thanks Rob! The bolt is a Tikka Varmint, using the factory mags right now. I may just stay with the BTHP in .223 for the semi then, great proven load. I do have to replace the 80 Amax load though at some point. Although I have the 75 BTHP's going at 2900 in that.The Ruger PR using the Magpul mags are about 2.820-25 max. Guess the OAL will be ok with the 178 ELDM. Forget what the AI mags will allow, about 2.86-70?

 

[Rob01]

Yeah the 75 BTHPs can be pretty accurate too. I shot them in the Steel Match ammo in my .223 bolt gun and they worked great.

AICS mags are about 2.870" or so so you can stretch them out from the AR style mag the Ruger comes with. That said the 178 AMAX shot just fine at the 2.820" OAL.

 

[mark5pt56]

Ok great, thanks again Rob. Just checking to see if it's worth it. I do have a partial bottle of cfe223 as well.

 

[z7.jled]

I just shot some 178 ELD Match yesterday out to 1000yds. I am using winchester brass, 44.0grains of varget. elevation was 9.9 mils at 1000yds. I got more consistent hits with the ELD match then the 175 SMK

 

[mark5pt56]

Cool, yup, have some on the way and figured I would try some of the 75 eldm's for the Tikka Varmint single load

 

[Agent Clark]

I was told by a close source that the 73 was created to fit in AR mags better. The 75's can fit, but you lose some flexibility with seating depth for load development. I have some 178's for my 5R, but haven't loaded them yet. My pal should have some of the 73's soon, if he doesn't already.